14,000 Portuguese break world record for largest gathering of Santa Clauses

London, Dec 15 (ANI): More than 14,000 Santa Clauses braved cold weather and drizzling rain as they paraded the streets of Portugals city of Porto to set a world record for the largest gathering of Santas.

Scores of women and children dressed as Father Christmas walked down the streets singing songs and dancing in the annual parade that started in the afternoon and stretched after dark.

Vitor Ferreira, one of the organisers of the event, said that the gathering was a social event to bring the warmth of Christmas to those who did not always have it.

All Santa Clauses, called Pai Natal in Portugal, also donated one euro to buy presents for the needy children in Porto, reports the Telegraph.

As many as 17,400 people had signed up for the annual parade, but due to bad weather 14,200 showed up, which the organisers claimed to be record, according to RTP national television channel.

The current gathering broke the previous Guinness record of the largest gathering of 12,965 Santas or Santa helpers set last year in Derry City, Northern Ireland. (ANI)